We've already shown you how to go backstage and behind the scenes at London cultural venues, from the Royal Albert Hall to BBC Broadcasting House. Now we're giving you the same help with the city's various sporting grounds, so whether you're a football fanatic, a cricketing buff or a rugby follower, get up close and personal to your team.
Unless stated otherwise, all tours mentioned here require booking in advance. It's also worth noting that on some occasions, certain features of tours (such as player changing rooms) may be unavailable due to matches, events, or for other reasons. If you're really keen to see something specific, check with the venue before you book.
Twickenham (Rugby)
What? Stadium tours. Go behind the scenes at the largest dedicated rugby stadium in the world. Visit the royal box, hospitality suites, medical room and players’ tunnel, and finish your tour with a pitchside walk.
When? Check calendar for upcoming dates —tours usually run three times a day.
How much? Adult £20 | child £12 |concession £15. Includes access to World Rugby Museum on the same site.
Lord's (Cricket)
What? Tour the home ground of Middlesex Cricket Club. Starting in the Museum, which is home to the famous Ashes urn. Continues through the Pavilion to the Long Room, where cricketers make their way onto the pitch — it also doubles up as an art gallery. Then visit the players' Dressing Rooms, and see which names you recognise on the Lord's Honours Boards, and peek inside the Media Centre.
When? Daily, several times a day (except major match and match preparation days). Booking in advance possible, you can also rock up to the ground on the day and hope tickets are available, but it's risky.
How much? Adult £18 | child/concession £12
Oval (Surrey Cricket)
What? Go behind the scenes and learn more about the international cricket stadium on a full tour of the ground and its facilities. Visit the Members’ Pavilion, historic Long Room, Galadari Museum, Library, Committee Room, Players’ Dressing Rooms and the Ken Barrington Indoor Cricket Centre and Gym, where players train. It's also possible to take a tour on County Cricket match days before watching a day of cricket.
When? Full Ground Tours: Saturday at 11am. Ticket and Tour: dependent on match schedule.
How much? Adult £15| child/concession £7.50
Wimbledon (Tennis)
What? Tour the home of The Championships and see the facilities used during the London 2012 Olympics. Visit Centre Court, No.1 Court, the Picnic Terraces and Water Gardens, The Millennium Building and Press Interview Room - the majority of which are off limits to the public, even ticketholders during the annual Championships.
When? Daily, except during Wimbledon Championships.
How much? Adult £24| child £15 | concession £21 (includes access to Museum)
Wembley (Football)
What? The current Wembley Stadium may not be the same one that held the 1966 World Cup final, but that doesn't stop them making a big deal of it on this tour. Visit the England changing rooms, the press room, Player's Tunnel, and see the 1966 World Cup crossbar. Alternatively, push the boat out for the VIP Access-All-Areas tours, which covers even more off-limits areas of the stadium
When? Most days (not when special events are happening), several tours each day.
How much? Adult £19 | child £11. VIP tour: adult £55 | child £45
The London Stadium (West Ham United FC)
What? Go behind the scenes at the London Stadium (former Olympic Stadium). Navigate your way through football, athletics, or a little bit of everything. Watch goals and races, walk through the tunnel, sit in the stands, visit the dugout and explore the changing rooms and get a free personalised certificate at the end of the tour.
You can control the content that you are interested in, whether you're a Londoner, tourist, West Ham United supporter or London 2012 enthusiast. The tour is offered in five languages and the language can be selected on arrival. In addition, the tour is fully accessible throughout.
When? Check calendar for upcoming dates and times —tours run regularly throughout the day. Tickets can also be bought on the day subject to availability and check before departing that tours are running on that date as some days will not be available due to stadium matches and events.
How Much? Discounts for online bookings in advance. Adult £17|Child £10|Concession £14 Prices shown are online rates, there will be a supplement of up to £2 per person for on the day purchases at the Ticket Office.
Emirates (Arsenal FC)
What? You can choose between a self-guided audio tour or the Legends Tour, for having a poke around Arsenal's home ground. The Legends Tour is led by former players, including Charlie George, Perry Groves and Lee Dixon. Locations visited include changing rooms and the players' tunnel. Both tours include a visit to the Arsenal Museum.
When? No tours on Matchdays or from 1pm the day before a European fixture.
How much? Audio tours adult £18| child £9.50. Legend Tours adult £37.50| child £18.50
Stamford Bridge (Chelsea FC)
What? The one hour Stadium Tour of Chelsea's home ground visits areas normally reserved for players and officials, including various stands in the Stadium, the Press Room, Home and Away dressing rooms, the tunnel and dug out areas.
Other options include the Platinum Tour (a private tour for your family and friends), a tour and lunch package, and the Legends Tour (led by a Chelsea legend such as Ron Harris or Eddie Newton, including a Q&A session and a signed personalised photo of the legend). All tours include entry to the Museum.
When? Standard Tours run most days (not match days, and several closures during the closed season May-August). Legend Tours run roughly once a month, on a Saturday.
How much? Standard Tour: Adult £17 | child £11 | concession £12. Platinum Tour: Adult £55 | child £45. Legends Tour £60.
White Hart Lane (Tottenham Hotspur FC)
What? The Classic Tour takes in the stadium giving you the history, interesting facts and anecdotes about the Club, Stadium and Players. The Legend Tour is led by ex-players such as Ray Clemence and Alan Gilzean. Visit similar areas as the Classic Tour, but in addition, take part in a Q&A session with the player and receive a limited edition postcard. VIP tours are private and limited to four people, and give access to a few areas not visited on the Classic Tour. Kids Tours run during school holidays.
When? Classic Tours run daily at 11am and 2pm. Legend Tours are less frequent. Kids Tours announced two months in advance. VIP Tours by prior arrangement.
How much? Classic Tour: Adult £20 | Junior £9. Legend Tour: Adult £40 | junior £20. VIP tour: £150 per group. Book well in advance, particularly for Legend Tours — dates with each legend are limited.
Craven Cottage (Fulham FC)
What? Pick from three options: Cottage Tours begin at the Johnny Haynes Statue and visit locations around the Grade II listed building, including the television studio, pitch side dugouts, the Chairman's Box, the Cottage Balcony, the home team changing room, and the Cottage Forecourt and Tunnel Entry. This tour is also available a a private Group Tour, for 15 people or more. Finally, My First Matchday Tours are aimed at younger fans — these aren't currently running, but keep an eye on the website, as more are expected to be announced over the summer for next season.
When? Cottage Tours: selected dates at 11.15am (book from 8 weeks in advance). Group Tours: on request.
How much? Cottage Tours: Adult £12 | child £9. Group Tours: £150.
The Den (Millwall FC)
What? Stadium Tours: Start at the Millwall Bus in front of the Barry Kitchener Stand before heading in through the doors of The Den and making your way round the stadium as you hear facts and untold stories. The Legends Tour option is a similar tour, but led by a past player (upcoming Legends Tour feature Stuart Nethercott). There's also the option to organise a private Group Tour for 15 people or more.
When? Stadium Tours run certain Saturdays at 1oam. Legend Tours are less frequent (around once a month). Group Tours: on request.
How much? Stadium Tours: Adult £12 | seniors/juniors £6. Legends Tours: Adult £22 | seniors/juniors £12. Group Tours: on request.
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